MANILA. Ocl 9: AIDS will deal a major blow to the economics of many developing countries in Asia and Africa over the next decade, threatening key industries and deterring foreign investment, a Thai minister said on Tuesday, reports Rfcuter.

Meechai Vecravaltaya, minister in charge of Tourism and Social Affairs, said the spread of AIDS would cost developing countries billions of dollars in lost earning and medical treatment.

"It’s coming home much faster than any of us think," Meechai told a conference of Asia-Pacific media and nongovernment organisations.

He said AIDS would kill the most productive sector of society. "those tn the 25-40 age range. They will die after they

have been trained. The only saving could be on the pension fund.”

Meechai, who became known as Thailand's "condom king" for his work in encouraging family planning, said tourism and the export of labour would suffer badly because of the the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

"Tourists wont conic If there's AIDS, other countries won't take your labour If a high percentage of the population is infected, and foreign Investment won t come to a country where AIDS is prevalent."

lie said AIDS would hit stock markets and the insurance industry throughout the world. It would affect savings rates and could force Individuals and countries to default on their loans.